[Effects of lead acetate on transcription activity of nuclear factor-kappaB in PC12 cells]

To investigate the effects of lead acetate and inhibitor of-kappaB (NF-kappaB), PDTC, on the transcription activity of NF-kappacB in PC12 cells.

PC12 cells were exposed to 0 micromol/L, 12.5 micromol/L, 25 micromol/L, 50 micromol/L, 100 micromol/L, 200 micromol/L, 400 micromol/L, 800 micromol/L and 1600 micromol/L lead acetate for 24 hours. The IC50 value was measured by MTT assay. The pNF-kappaB-Luc reporter gene plasmid was transfected into PC12 cells by cationic liposome, and then the cells were exposed to 100 micromol/L, 200 micromol/L and 400 micromol/L lead acetate and different concentrations of lead acetate plus 100 micromol/L PDTC, respectively. The luciferase activities of the reporter gene were measured by luciferase assay kit after 24 hours exposure to lead acetate.

The PC12 cells were exposed to lead acetate at varied concentrations for 24 hours, and the growth and proliferation of the cells are inhibited with various degrees, showing a dose-effect relationship. The IC50 was detected to be (533.966 +/- 100.830) micromol/L. The results showed that luciferase activity of PDTC control groups is lower than that of blank control group (P < 0.01) 24 hours after lead acetate exposure. It is also found that the luciferase activity of groups treated with lead acetate are higher than that of blank control group (P < 0.01) with a dose-effect relationship. Significantly higher luciferase activity are found in the groups treated with lead acetate and PDTC compared with the PDTC control group (P < 0.01).

Lead treatment to PC12 cell results in activation of NF-kappaB.